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Gita put a hand on her mouth hearing the shocking news. No! How can Isha run away? She was starting to accept this engagement. However impulsive Isha is, she won't run away like this.

Gita looked back at the mansion full of guests. What are they going to tell them?

Anand's father put a hand on his  shoulder to calm his raging son. But Anand was not going to have any of it.

"I know who here might have some answers." He looked straight at Gita. Gita was scared to face him when he was so angry. She clutched the side of her lehenga to give support to her nervous self. He took Gita's hand in hers while ignoring his father's voice to be calm.

Anand dragged Gita upstairs as she pleaded him to slow down. He opened his bedroom and pushed Gita inside while he locked the room.

He turned towards her and she could see the old Anand who was infamous for his temper, whose attitude screamed he was not to be mess with. The one she knew when she was a teenager.

"Where is Isha?" He asked gritting his teeth.

Gita stepped back, "I...I don't know. She didn't tell me." It was the truth! She had seen Isha only till lunch after that Isha was busy with her spa session and they got ready in separate rooms.

"You don't know or you are pretending to not know anything, my innocent wife?" He asked menacingly coming close to her. He loosened his sherwani buttons.

"I don't know." Gita repeated her words with conviction feeling scared to be with Anand when he is so angry. Why did Isha had to run?

Anand closed his eyes, not liking his wife's response.

"Gitanjali. Don't fuck with me right now. Tell me where is Isha?" Anand put hands on his waist asking Gita sincerely.

"I swear Anand, I don't know. Wait, I...I will call her." Gita said desperately to try to calm Anand down and not be the one to face his wrath.

In one moment, Anand closed the gap between them and held her arms in a tight grip and pulled her closer, "Acting so innocent as if you don't know shit. But listen Gitanjali and listen to me well, there is a lot at stake here. So, if I get to know you are complicit in making her run away,I will not spare you." He said in a dangerously low voice. Her arms began to ache. She tried getting out of his hold.

"Anand, I am saying the truth. I didn't see her after the lunch. She told me she had called for a spa session in the room and not to disturb her." Gita said truthfully and Anand left her after much deliberation.

There were loud knocks on the door and Anand opened it to reveal Ami who told Anand that Daddu is asking for him. He glanced at Gita standing behind him and left the room.

"Hey, are you okay?" Concerned laced in Ami's voice. With Anand so angry, it was clear that they must have had some argument. As Ami stepped closer, Gita moved back and ask her to stop with her hand.

"I am okay. Please leave me alone for some time." Ami didn't agree but Gita pleaded her that she wants to be left alone.

A cry left her as soon as Ami went away. She rubbed her arms and soothed it. Has she done wrong about keeping a secret about Isha's boyfriend from Anand? At this point, she only knew to blame herself. She really had no clue that Isha would do something like this. She sat on the floor as the questions haunt her.

She recalled seeing Isha the last time when she told her about the spa session and make up time. Did she miss something? She gave it a thought and it clicked! Isha had hugged her tight and said sorry to her. When Gita asked her the reason, Isha shook her head. Gita assumed her sorry was everything that had happened with Rohan and their little argument about love being a stupid thing or not. She never once thought her sorry was for a different thing and she is going to do something so reckless.

She rubbed her tears and looked for a phone in the room. She tried calling Isha. After many attempts, she stopped calling her.

Gita went to find Anand who was in his study with Daddu, Papa and Vivek. Gita was startled to see Vivek there...did he know Isha is not here?

The other guests were enjoying the dance performances and were unknown the fact that Isha is not here. They must be thinking that she is still getting ready.

She felt less scared because of Papa's presence in the room. "Beta, any clue on her location?" He asked gently as to not scare her more than Anand did.

"No, Papa. I called her but she didn't answer." Papa nodded knowing how stubborn both his kids can be.

Anand asked Vivek to be outside with everybody so as to not create any suspicion and they would follow soon. Papa again apologized to Vivek for Isha's deeds.

The moment Vivek left, Anand snatched Gita's phone and checked her last messages with Isha but there was no answer to his questions.

"Anand, believe me. I had no idea she is going to do something like this. Please believe me." She pleaded to Anand who had no trust in her at the moment.

Anand smirked, "Believe in you? I am not going to trust anything that comes out of your lying mouth." He pointed his finger at Gita, "You were with her all the time. You used to hangout together. You want me to believe you don't know anything." He clapped his hands. "Great!"

"Beta, do you know something which can help us to know why she ran away?" Papa asked Gita.

She could keep things from Anand but not from a father who was heartbroken from his daughter's actions.

"Papa...she," Gita crossed her fingers for she was about to break her promise, "Isha was involved with someone." She was quick to add, "but they broke up...sometime ago. I swear." Gita let out a sob looking down, not being able to meet anyone's eye in the room.

It was not a crime to love someone but Isha did choose a wrong day to run away. The family has to face the humiliation of it. She could have chosen to talk like a normal adult. Gita felt guilty, she felt like an accomplice who helped her runaway.

"See Daddu, you were wrong. You were proud of this one? Not so innocent and honest anymore, is she?" Anand mocked Daddu's choice. It was evident that his anger had hit the roof.

"Gitanjali, you are going to go out and apologize to everyone in the guests for Isha's absence. Tell them whatever you want but you will be the one apologising." Anand declared. He was not going to stand there with folded hands for no mistake of his.

Gita looked horrified. She had never dealt with such a situation nor was she the eldest here to take the responsibility of making a statement to the relatives and business associates present. She shook her head. How will she deal with this?

"Aren't you good at lying and hiding things? Go and lie to them if you want. But GET. OUT. NOW!" Anand pointed his finger at the door. In his rage, he definitely doesn't have mercy for anyone.

"Anand, calm down." Daddu said.

"And this is not the way you talk to your wife." Papa said not happy with his son's behavior. "Gita, you don't need to do this..."
He was cut off with Anand's voice, "Gitanjali. What did I say?" And the cue was enough for Gita to run out of the room and think of ways to break it to the guests.

She thought of consulting with Vivek first. She would never want to announce it to outsiders that Isha was missing and there are chances she ran away.

Gita told Ami to bring Vivek here in the guest room. Ami saw Gita's dried tears and her bloodshot eyes. "Gita, please don't cry. This is not your fault. Please stop crying. Think of the baby."

Gita's chin wobbled and she wanted to cry more at the thought of her baby. She had such cute dreams about revealing the pregnancy to Anand. Though she was never good with camera or selfies, she wanted to record Anand's reaction. She felt such a fool for dreaming such things.

Ami had called Vivek in the guest room and even though he was upset, even he didn't want people to badmouth Isha for not being there.

They planned to make a lie about her peanut allergy. They repeated the lines which sounded utter stupid. So, they decided to just go with her being under the weather and not in a condition to be at the ceremony today.

Gita apologised to everyone in the room and thanked them for being here. The guests murmured amongst themselves as they left. Everyone knew something was wrong but thank god, nobody said it out loud. Anand stood stoic in the corner of the room. His hands in the pocket of his Sherwani, not giving away the inner rage he is going through.

Mr and Mrs. Khanna wanted to know the real reason but Vivek handled it. They left as Gita again apologised to them. Daddu also apologised to the Khannas and told them they will talk tomorrow.

Anand's aunts went to Gita and interrogated her. "She is not here, is she?" One of them asked.

"Like mother, like daughter. Running away God knows where!" They said amongst themselves.

"Sorry aunty, but this isn't the time for this. Isha is not here, we should be concerned for her safety. Not talking like this about her." Gita said firmly. Isha was not like a sister-in-law but more like her own sister. She was angry on Isha but that doesn't mean she would let someone badmouth her.

Gita's mother and aunt took her at side and asked, "What happened? Isha is really missing?"

"Ma, not now. I will talk to you later." Gita left from there. She wants to just go home and forget this day ever happened.

She went to Papa who was typing something on his phone. Probably to Isha. "Papa, I am scared. What if she is in some danger? This thought never came to me until now."

He put a hand on Gita's head and had a slight smile. "It's good to see someone voicing out concern for Isha's safety. But don't worry beta, your Daddu's grandkids are taught to harm others before it comes to them. So pray that noone else gets harmed." For the first time in the evening, Gita slightly smiled. It was indeed true! Noone messes with them because they will make sure to make other's life absolute hell. It's always their own self first.

Gita's parents and aunt bid her adieu as there was no point waiting till late when there is no function. Ami wanted to stay for Gita. She was angry at Anand for being enraged at Gita when his sister was at fault. It was Isha's secret, then how could Gita tell it to Anand? But they were husband and wife and she didn't have much say in what goes between them. The only thing she could do is just support Gita.

"Go Ami. I will be fine." Gita said with a small smile, feeling lucky to have a sister like her.

"Okay, but don't cry. You will make my nephew or niece upset as well." Ami tried to tease her to lighten her mood. She had seen the happiness the baby brought her when she confirmed the pregnancy.

One thing was sure, Ami was going to take Isha's case. Isha was like a friend to her and she believed you point out your friend's mistake especially when it caused distress to Gita.

*

"Are you upset with me?" Gita asked Daddu. Anand was upstairs on call with someone.

"A little. But I don't blame you. It's my mistake, to be honest. I knew to discipline my kid but I forgot to discipline my grandkids. If I had a daughter and she behaved in this manner, I would have hunt her down the next hour and brought her home. But it's my Isha. I cannot be cruel to her." His eyes held some regret for his past deeds in life but he loved to hold onto his ego.

"I didn't know. I swear." Gita repeated her words. She wanted everyone to believe her. Moreover, she wanted Anand to trust her. As a people pleaser, it was difficult for her to see people around her upset because of her.

"Gita. I know. It's okay, beta." Daddu patted her head with love.

*

It was late at night and time for her to leave the mansion. Anand had not spoken a word to her. He had changed into a white shirt and black pants and the cars keys jiggled in his hand.

He took leave from Daddu and Papa. His father telling him to be calm.
"I am calm, Dad." They all knew it was the calm before the storm.

"Anand, Gita is stressed. Let her stay here tonight." Papa asked Anand. Who knows what more poisonous words will his son spit when they are left alone?

"Dad. Please. We are going to our place. Gitanjali, come outside." Anand said and walked away. Gita said bye to Daddu and Papa. She thanked Papa for trusting her and appreciated him for looking out for her.

There was radio silence in the car. The night looked deadly with only street lamps. There was no buzz of traffic, no cars honking. It was dead silent road and darkness around. The only light there was the car headlights.

"Anand," Gita started, but not knowing what exactly to say. Whatever she wanted to say in her defence, she had already said but she didn't like silence from him. "If I had known Isha was about to do something like this, why would I support her? I have not..." Before she could complete her sentence, Anand shushed her.

"Not a word from you." His eyes was on the road and his voice was like a sword that could cut you.

"But Anand.." Gita tried to explain herself. "You didn't understand what I said or is it only lies that you understand?" Anand cut her off again.

They didn't exchange a word in the car.

*

As they entered home, Anand went to his study while Gita went to their bedroom to change. It was such a tragic evening that she didn't realise there was no picture in this lehenga. Usually, she would have asked others to click her when she wears a lehenga as she was below average with selfies. But she wanted to click pictures. She wanted to click pictures all the times she dressed up in her pregnancy, however the day went. Her stomach was not going to be the same size, it will keep growing and she wanted photos in every phase especially when she was dressed up.

After clicking five to six selfies to her heart's content, she changed into a simple kurti. She realised how the child is not even born yet and it successfully distracts her from stress. It's been 20 minutes and Anand was still not here.
But it was better if he stayed in his den, his study. Sleep was faraway so she thought of reading some book.

Two pages later, Anand entered the room in the same attire - white shirt and black pants. She thought he came here to change but he asked her to come to his study. As she followed him, she silently prayed to God to let everything be okay.

His study was done with shades of maroon that complemented the mahogany desk. The room was dimly lit with the lamps around. It had old classic vibe to it and was not into contemporary palette like the other rooms. 

There was a couch at one side of the room with a middle size table infront it. He asked her to take a sit there as opposed to the two huge chairs, the big desk and Anand's chair adjacent to them, where he deals with his secretaries.

The table infront of her was filled with a plate of sandwich, a plate of fruits, and some glasses full of whisky and vodka.

"We are going to play a game." His voice boomed in the silent room. Gita sensed this was not good. Her instincts told her to get out of the room right away.

"I...I don't want to." This game was definitely not a fun one. She didn't want to be a part of his games.

"I didn't give you a choice, wife." He sat beside her on the couch. "Pick 2 things that you like on the table." Gita went with the obvious choices of sandwiches and fruits since she was not a fan of alcohol. Occassionally, she had taken a sip from Anand's glass but avoided it most of the time. "Now to explain you the rules of our simple game.

I will ask you some questions. You give me honest answers to it. With every correct answer, you get to have a bite of sandwich or fruits, but with every false answer, you will drink the glass of whisky or vodka. Let's start!"

Gita didn't like his games. She couldn't figure what is he playing at but she agreed to this because she had nothing to fear. She was confident she could answer his every question truthfully.

"The name of Isha's boyfriend?" Gita felt guilty of giving up the secret but there was no choice.

"Did they really breakup?"

"Did she meet him after the breakup?"

"You had an idea about this plan of Isha's?"

With every question Anand asked about Gita, she told him the answers honestly and ate her rewards - sandwiches and fruits. She was definitely hungry and happy with this food.

"Is there anything I need to know?" This game was too easy for Gita. She was laidback right now. She thought for a second and shook her head. She had told him about Rohan in his previous questions.

"Gitanjali, is there anything I need to know?" Anand asked with anger evident in his voice. Gita shook her head.

"Drink the whiskey." He said. Gita's head shot to look at him. It was unfair!

"No, Anand. I won't. I have told you everything you need to know." It sounded like a child complaining but she was angry at him for being unfair.

He didn't say anything but picked up the glass and brought it to her, his eyes ordering her to drink it.

She pushed the glass from her face, disgusted at the smell of it. "I told you everything. I am not drinking this." One second, she nagged about the situation and in other moment, Anand pulled the back of her head and her hair were in a tight grip. Now, her lips were closer to the glass and she was struggling to get away.

"Are you sure, you are not missing something?" Anand gritted his teeth. As she struggled, her brain tried to process information that she missed.

"I....I have met Rohan. Isha made us meet. He seemed...harmless." Yes, this was the last thing about Isha and Rohan, she didn't mention.

Anand still didn't seem to be satisfied with the answer. He pulled her hair in a tighter grip and her neck arched.

"And? Is there more?" He seemed to be digging deeper.

"No, no, there isn't. I really have no clue of their plan, Anand. Please leave me." She cried out at the pain. It seemed like he will rip out her hair.

"Drink this." He again brought the glass of whiskey closer to her lips. Due to his tight grip on her hair, it was difficult for her to move. She still managed to frantically move her face to not drink it.

When he didn't give up his efforts and was close to pouring it in her mouth, she rasped out,

"No,no Anand. Please. There is a baby."
She cried out as she felt his grip on her hair loosen.

Even though, she had not drink anything, she spat in the tissues and wiped her mouth to ensure she didn't consume it.

She was shit scared to think what would happen if he was successful in making her drink it. She might have harmed her child.

************
18/5/22

Yay! An early update♥️♥️♥️

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I did take efforts to complete this chapter and update sooner.

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